Published: Dec. 13, 2017

Norlin Quad

The University Libraries continually seek input in an effort to create user-centered services and inclusive spaces. We received hundreds of responses to last year’s LibQual user survey. We’d like to share what we learned and the improvements we've made.

Successes: services receiving the most positive feedback

Improvements this year:

student in Norlin using Thread power hub

  • Free book delivery: We’ve expanded book delivery to campus boxes - now available to anyone with a campus mailbox!
  • Music Library after renovationCleaner space: we have worked with Facilities to put in place numerous changes to our cleaning systems for a cleaner Norlin. Specifically:

    • New, more effective floor cleaning machines (vacuums and tile cleaners)
    • Adjusted work schedules, cross training, and team deployment 
    • More consistent monitoring of restroom supplies and more thorough restroom cleaning standards, especially in the afternoons
    • Faster response time to cleanliness requests
    • Expanded services during finals
  • More hours: We’ve requested funding to support 24/7 access to at least one library. During finals, Norlin Commons remains open 24/7 to users with a BuffOne card. 
  • More resources: We’re buying new eBooks, streaming video, data sets, maps, and more, plus online journals and primary source material that users are requesting.
  • Better web site: We put in place a new, responsive website that is less cluttered, easier to navigate and always evolving.
  • More study space: We’ve created additional study space in Norlin and the branch libraries, to alleviate overcrowding. Norbas, a study room in Norlin's basement with seating for 75, opened last week, in addition to the multipurpose E203.
  • Changes to furniture: We’ve added another 30 study tables in Norlin, plus reorganization and addition of numerous ADA compliant, adjustable height tables in the Norlin Commons and addition of more soft seating in the Norlin Commons
  • More group study: We’ve created three group study rooms in the Music Library during its renovation.
  • Power! Power! Power! We installed innovative electrical systems to provide lots more power to the second floor research area in Norlin.
    • Refurbished space: We’re just completing a complete renovation of the Music library. 

    What's coming soon:

    • Larger restrooms for Norlin's 2nd floor, plus gender neutral restrooms
    • Increasing accessibility of the Research Desk, based on feedback from a team of students in the Program of Writing & Rhetoric

    Library instructor at the Write-In Event

    Norlin Library and our branches received a total of 1,945,227 vistors in the last academic year. Our website served millions more. Our interlibrary loan services fulfilled over 90,000 requests in the last academic year. 293,492 database searches were fulfilled, and 2,509,788 requests for full-length journal articles.

    Less visible are the numerous hours librarians spend with students, individually in consultations as well as in their classes, as the libraries provide instruction on critical thinking, inquiry-based and problem-solving learning, and information literacy. We are committed to providing services, spaces and collections that foster discovery, openness, curiousity, belonging and reflection. Every student is one of our students and we are invested in the success of each one!

    Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey. Your responses make a difference!